From: Paul, Gwen, Jo and Loey
The four of us siblings had a great time exploring India this winter. This is a VERY brief account of that time.
Gwen flew to India in late December, and she and Loey traveled through Rajasthan, where they bought LOTS of fabrics and unique handcrafts. They also learned about the time it requires to fix a flat tire.
In early January Paul, Frank and I met them in southern India. Loey had set up a fantastic itinerary for us, beginning with a few days at a tropical resort, Palm Lagoon, in Kerala. Frank was quite impressed (once he was able to come to terms with his possible imminent demise) with the way our taxi driver could maneuver through/around/between all the vehicles and animals and people on the road.
We then spent several days on a houseboat and went down a canal paralleling the ocean. One of the things the kids asked for in this more-affluent part of India was pens; we wished we'd had those to share.
Next on our trip was a stay at a lovely old British-style hotel in the Periyar National Wildlife Preserve. We went on a boat ride out through a labyrinth of a lake and saw some elephants, wild boar, and unidentifiable creatures. Sleeping in the jungle, with all the sights and smells, was a great experience.
Kodai was our next destination. At first Gwen and I were dismayed about all the changes that have happened to the place we remember as our childhood Utopia, but Kodai School itself hasn't changed as much--except it's so much SMALLER and compact than when we were there...! We checked out the quadrangle, dining hall, old gym, principal's office, and then went down to Boyer Hall, which has so many memories for Gwen, Bets and me. Paul went into Boyer with us but kept feeling as though he were invading forbidden territory.
We spent several days exploring, "hiking" to Bear Shola, going out on the 40-mile road, looking for the plains in the fog on Coaker's Walk, and checking out Bruton compound (which is now subdivided into many projects, including the hotel where we stayed, a movie theater and some squatter's homes). We went shopping in the bazaar, met the Kashmiri gentleman that Mom used to enjoying buying from years ago, and visiting the women's co-op where Loey's involved. Gwen could have stayed there for a month to help with sewing projects.
Our Bruton dorm and the newer Garden Manor Hotel, where we stayed
We went to Loey & Gary's place for supper. They've made a really neat home there. Loey's cook Violet made a delicious curry meal for us.
Paul, Gwen, Frank and I said goodbye to Loey and Gary and returned to New Delhi, took a bicycle rickshaw in Old Delhi, saw the Red Fort where our guide kept wanting us to know that if he made us happy then we should make him happy. We then went to see the Taj Mahal in Agra, which is as awesome as it's reported to be. Paul gave us a good history of the area, as he had throughout the trip.
Paul headed south and Gwen, Frank and I returned by way of Kuala Lumpur. We spent a couple of delightful days there, visiting batik and pewter factories, having high tea in a rotating restaurant near the Petronas Towers, and exploring the surrounding countryside. It's a beautiful country, where Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus live together. I'm glad we were able to see it before the world situation became too tense.
It was good to get back home, but I'm ready to go explore another country.